Chan dispatches Hantuchova

UNDER PRESSURE:Taiwan’s Chang Kai-chen lost at the Australian Open to local favorite Sam Stosur, who had been facing criticism that she cannot take the home pressure

AFP, MELBOURNE, Australia

Japan’s Kei Nishikori eased doubts over a knee injury as he beat Romania’s Victor Hanescu in four sets.

A left knee injury forced the 16th seed out of this month’s Brisbane International and Kooyong Classic tournaments, but he showed little discomfort in surging home 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 against the 63rd-ranked Hanescu.